Melbourne awards community leaders

Over 200 people from across Melbourne’s Jewish community have attended the JCCV 2015 Community Recognition Awards.

Awards group

The Awards were presented by Australian Race Discrimination Commissioner, Dr Tim Soutphommasane who spoke about the importance of community, the exceptional community focus of the Victorian Jewish community and the issue of antisemitism. Dr Soutphommasane applauded the work of the JCCV and the B’nai B’rith Antidefamation Commission in combatting antisemitism.

The prestigious General Sir John Monash Award was awarded to Tony Levy who is a dedicated and highly respected role model in the community, with decades of commitment to the community, in particular to Jewish Care Victoria, B’nai B’rith and the JCCV.

Lauren Mandel was awarded the JCCV Young Leader Award for her commitment and drive in working on the Maccabi All Abilities Project. Her dedication to social inclusion for Jews of all abilities was applauded. This was only the second year that the JCCV Young Leader Award was presented.

Jennifer Huppert, President of the JCCV said, “Our volunteers are crucial to the successful operation of our community organisations, and they help maintain the healthy and vibrant nature of our community.”

A highlight of the evening was the St Kilda Hebrew Congregation Choir who sang a medley of World War 1 songs in honour of the ANZAC Centenary, and a number of Hebrew songs, featuring a rousing rendition of Adon Olam.

Ms Huppert stated, “We recognise and thank the volunteers from the 22 Jewish community organisations for their contribution, selfless devotion and commitment to the community”:

Marina Prostakova – Australian Forum of Russian Speaking Jewry

Kim Jaffa – Blake Street HC

Claude Fromm – B’nai B’rith Victoria

Tom Gorog – Emmy Monash

Amit Rehak – JCAM

Delysia Pahoff – Jewish Care Victoria

Dr David Ringelblum – Jewish Labor Bund

Ronnit Schreiber – JTAFV

Dalia & John Furstenberg – Kehilat Nitzan

Michael Lawrence – King David School

Michael Polak – Leo Baeck Centre

Justin Lipson – Maccabi Victoria

Dr Victor Wayne – Melbourne HC

Vivien Brass – NCJWA

Marlene Oppenheim – NEJC

Borys Feldmann – Shalom Association

Lilly Kochen – Sholem Aleichem College

David Eden – St Kilda HC

Jarrod White – Stand Up

Sue Morgan – Temple Beth Israel

Julie Leder – VAJEX Australia

Sam Tatarka – Zionism Victoria

Those attending represented a wide range of affiliates of the Jewish Community Council of Victoria (JCCV).

Visit J-Wire's main page for all the latest breaking news, gossip and what's on in your community.

Speak Your Mind

Comments received without a full name will not be consideredEmail addresses are NEVER published! All comments are moderated. J-Wire will publish considered comments by people who provide a real name and email address. Comments that are abusive, rude, defamatory or which contain offensive language will not be published